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Phoenix 00-09, Year of the Emperor 480. Imperial Court: War Forum
Pre-Battle Speech to the assembled elite strike force formed from each nation's finest.
Ave Allies.
These are grim times for the Empire, with the darkness closing in further each day. Sporadic acts of aggression have escalated from random unprovoked attacks in the wilderness, to cold blooded slaughter and destruction of our homes. I am referring of course to the Ender creatures.
No one has been safe from their influence, with seemingly no pattern to their acts of violence. From the lowest commoner to the highest Nobles, no one in the Empire has not been affected by the rising attacks in recent years. Duchess Celestine went missing, killed most likely with no trace of her ever found. Settlements across the lands struggling to maintain order and safety with bearly enough guards.
The time has come. There has been plenty of discourse, plenty of discussion and heated arguments over the best course of action. There has been a vast amount of solutions proposed: negotiating peace, attempting to reason with the enemy amongst others, and all have failed. Time has been spurned and wasted, but no longer. The time has come. We have but one option left:
To Strike
I, Samaia Almandine, Duchess of the Grand Duchy of Dawnstar, hereby declare our nation's intentions to join the grand assembly of the mighiest heroes of the Empire, the Tip of the Spear, on a small isle near the supposed portal to the Ender's hideous lair. Myself, I am too old to be of use in combat, but in my place, I send in my place Samirah, of House Almandine. She is the most capable and dedicated martial fighter in our ranks, having fought extensively to bring a state of peace to Dawnstar. She will not see her life's work destroyed by outsiders.
Our ancestors went through periods of significant crises, and each time they overcame their challenges. We must look to their example and take heart in this darkest hour for Hermertia. The Ender creatures must be stopped, this is our one chance to save our Empire from death by a thousand cuts, separation, and eventual collapse.
Assembled warriors of the Imperial Court, go forth.
For Glory.
Kill them all.
- Samaia Almandine
_________________ Petra Ravnikaar of The Veil
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